• [History of life: Grades 9-12] Present-day species evolved from earlier species; the relatedness of organisms is the result of common ancestry. (LS4.A)
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Speciation is the splitting of one ancestral lineage into two or more descendant lineages.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Speciation is often the result of geographic isolation.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Speciation requires reproductive isolation.
• [Mechanisms of evolution: Grades 9-12] Occupying new environments can provide new selection pressures and new opportunities, leading to speciation. (LS4.C)
• [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Our understanding of life through time is based upon multiple lines of evidence.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use experimental evidence to study evolutionary processes.

• Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
• Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.C: Adaptation

Student learning on this topic may be enhanced by class discussion.

• Speciation